Rebecca Welch Makes History as First Female Premier League Referee

2023-12-14 17:26:34

For the first time in England, a woman will referee a Premier League match. Rebecca Welch was named at the Fulham-Burnley whistle on December 23.

France has Stéphanie Frappart, England now has Rebecca Welch. This 40-year-old referee will be in charge of the match between Fulham and Burnley scheduled for December 23 (4 p.m.) for the 18th day of the Premier League, according to an official press release. This is the first time that a woman has been named at the whistle for a match in the English Premier League men’s football. She will officiate with Stuart Burt and Dan Cook as assistants.

A black referee for the first time in 15 years

Another significant announcement made this Thursday, December 14: Sam Allison will be the first black referee in the Premier League in 15 years. He has been appointed to lead the Sheffield-Luton match on Boxing Day, December 26 (4 p.m.).

Rebecca Welch has been a referee since 2010. She has already managed men’s football matches in the English Football League, which brings together the 2nd, 3rd and 4th English divisions. This season, she has officiated in four Championship matches. This summer, FIFA entrusted him with four matches at the Women’s World Cup, including a round of 16 and the small final between Sweden and Australia.

Sam Allison, 42, usually plays in the Championship. He will discover the Premier League, although he had the opportunity to be fourth referee in October 2022 during a confrontation between Brighton and Chelsea. Before him, Uriah Rennie was the last black referee to have officiated a Premier League match. It was in 2008.

In July, according to the BBCthe English Football Federation has announced that it wants to recruit 50% more referees who are women and from “historically underrepresented” origins.

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